YOUNG people who have changed the direction of their lives have been honoured in the first-ever Building the Future Together Awards and celebration event.

The project is part financed by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government, and the awards marked the inspirational achievements of young people who have engaged with and been supported by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s pioneering scheme.

Awards and commendations were presented from a number of categories ranging from volunteering and teamwork to the Rhondda Cynon Taf Champions who have secured academic attainment, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and even jobs as a result of Building the Future Together.

Popular broadcaster Phil Steele compered the event with speeches from adventurer Tori James and musical performances by talented youths from the Council’s Make IT Project and Pontypridd High School student Ben Jones.

Among the Cynon Valley winners and commended nominees were:

n The Aberdare Skate Park Clean-Up team, who won the Volunteer Award and were commended in the Environmental Award category;

n Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun pupils, Liam Harding and Sola May Pinch who were commended in the Personal Achievement Award category;

n The All Skilled Up Aberdare Boys at Aberdare High, who won the Training Award;

n YG Rhydywaun’s Shane Thomas, who won the Employment Award; and Lauren Thomas, of Aberdare Girls’ School, and Steven Chappell, of St John’s, who were both commended in the same category;

n Xixi Richter, of Aberdare Girls’ School, who was named a Rhondda Cynon Taf Community Champion;

n The Year 9 Football Team at Maesgwyn School, who scooped a Teamwork Award;

n Ffion Crofts, of Cardinal Newman RC Comprehensive, who was commended in the Outstanding Achievement Award.

Coun Eudine Hanagan, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, said: “Building the Future Together programme is a highly motivating and inspiring project that endeavours to give young people the best start in life by offering them the personal interventions they need to thrive.

“The awards allowed the showcase of personal success stories of Individuals who have seized the help and support they were offered and have gone on to change their future course of life. For every one of those inspirational stories heard at the awards, there are hundreds more about there.

“Building the Future Together is changing lives.”

For further information on the BTFT project, contact BTFT@rctbc.gov.uk or 01443 744304